This document discusses various problems that translators face when translating books from one language to another. It identifies issues such as strong language, colloquialisms, regional dialects, humor, untranslatable words, and references that do not directly translate between languages. It also notes that translators must work with authors and editors to make critical decisions about the style and tone of translations in order to produce the best version of the book for target audiences while maintaining the spirit of the original work.

1. THEORY AND PRACTICE TRANSLATION
TEACHER: DR. GONZALO PUMA
STUDENT: VERÓNICA MORENO

2. TRANSLATION PROBLEMS AND
SOLUTIONS
Every book is different and presents its own problems. Translators of
literary fiction should be given scope to make critical decisions, in
conjunction with the author and the editor, in order to produce the best
possible book.
• STRONG LANGUAGE
• COLLOQUIALISMS
• “DIFFICULT’ LANGUAGES
• A TRANSATLANTIC COMPROMISE
• A HEALTHY BALANCE

3. La sombra del viento was the original
Spanish title for the international
bestseller The Shadow of the Wind, by
Carlos Ruiz Zafón.
Literal translations of titles will
often fail to grab the
prospective audience for the
book. Sometimes a complete
change is required to make the
book saleable in English-
speaking countries

4. Translating a book written in a particular style
Even when written by contemporary authors, poses its own
problems.
In older works, translators are often
required to source and examine original
material and critiques in both
languages in order to establish the
correct mood, tone and style.
Another stylistic problem can be
presented by purposeful awkwardness
in the original that simply does not
work in the new language.

5. • REGIONAL DIALECTS
There’s a fine line between
making foreign authors accessible
to English-speaking readers and
making them sound like English
writers. The rhythms and
patterns of their own languages
are part of what makes them
interesting and it can be a
mistake to iron them out
completely.
Sometimes the idiom needs a little explanation
for English readers.

6. • STRONG LANGUAGE
Another problem, too, is the
wealth of expletives in other
languages, which simply
cannot be matched by English
equivalents.
• COLLOQUIALISMS
Similar considerations
apply to colloquialisms as
to expletives.

7. • HUMOUR
• UNTRANSLATABLE WORDS
AND CULTURE-SPECIFIC
REFERENCES
When translating Tiziano
Scarpa’s Venice Is a Fish
Shaun Whiteside had to
rely on extensive
discussions with the author
as well as a great deal of
research to work out
English equivalents for
some of the more
specialist vocabulary.
Some words, however,
simply don’t translate.

8. • QUOTATIONS FROM OTHER SOURCES
• “DIFFICULT’ LANGUAGES

9. • A TRANSATLANTIC COMPROMISE
• A HEALTHY BALANCE
Translators will,
ideally, discuss with
the UK and US editor
at the outset whether
transatlantic style is
required and how far
it should go.
If the translator is
aware that the book
will be published in
the US as well as the
UK, it’s a good idea to
look for compromises
at the outset.